Agenda Memo CITY HALL - ONE FRANK H. OGAWA PLAZA, 2ND FLOOR - OAKLAND - CALIFORNIA - 94612 FROM: ZAC UNGER (510) 238-7001 Councilmember (District 1) E-mail: [email protected] CHARLENE WANG (510) 238-7002 Councilmember (District 2) E-mail: [email protected] ROWENA BROWN (510) 238-7008 Councilmember (At-Large) E-mail: [email protected] TO: Oakland City Councilmembers and Members of the Public SUBJECT: RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF SENATE BILL SB 1218 (ARREGUÍN) TO AMEND THE CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE TO REQUIRE PAYMENT OR RESOLUTION OF ILLEGAL DUMPING FINES BEFORE VEHICLE REGISTRATION CAN BE COMPLETED DATE: March 12th, 2026 Colleagues on the City Council and Members of the Public, Illegal dumping has been a serious problem in Oakland for some time now. Pervasive illegal dumping damages our community, our economy, and our public health. The adverse effects of illegal dumping are also disproportionately borne by Oakland’s historically disinvested communities. While we have added money to our budget to address illegal dumping in recent years, we need more help. It is with great pleasure that we thank Senator Arreguín for tackling this challenge at the state level with SB 1218. SB 1218 establishes an accountability mechanism for illegal dumping by requiring the California Department of Motor Vehicles to refuse to renew the registration of a vehicle if the registered owner has outstanding illegal dumping fines. This aligns with an existing enforcement mechanism already in place for unpaid parking citations. This legislation focuses on those businesses and individuals who are deliberately dumping waste in California’s streets and public spaces, polluting our waterways, and creating public health impacts This legislation would help Oakland enforce our illegal dumping laws, and dissuade those from dumping in the future. We are excited to support Senator Arreguín’s legislation, and we urge the California State Legislature to pass this critical bill. Thank you!
Respectfully submitted,
Councilmember Zac Unger
Councilmember Charlene Wang
Councilmember Rowena Brown